Home > News Story and Obituary ArchiveNews: Comic Sales Flat for Summer?posted August 17, 2004

August 17 -- After a perceptible mini-surge in June led by top-selling books at the expense of many lower- and moderate-selling titles, the July direct market dollar sales for the direct market were almost totally comatose. According to figures released by Diamond Comics Distributor, Sales overall increased two tenths of one percent driven by a bump in the average price of comic books and a one percent increase in graphic novel sales, an increased area of emphasis by publishers, fans, and retailers.

Such flat figures despite rising prices and the increasing emphasis on hot books and higher ticket items were met with discouragement, particularly given how much emphasis has been placed by publicity people, professionals and involved fans on the industry's overall health.